Support the next Generation of Leaders – Volunteer to Judge 4-H Exhibits and Presentations
Have you considered how you might be able to guide the next generation? If so, the Orange County 4-H Program has some opportunities for you to help grow the leaders of tomorrow. We are heading into a busy season of competitions for 4-Hers and we rely on our volunteer judges to provide valuable feedback on 4-H project work including educational exhibits, photography, presentations and even talent.
Serving as a judge doesn’t require special expertise. Youth prepare their exhibits and presentations according to specific guidelines and a scoring rubric. Judges simply use this rubric to assign scores based on the standards. In the 4-H program, all entries can earn a blue, red, or white award as determined by how closely they meet that standard. While we may have an individual volunteer judge an exhibit category, presentations always have a team of two or three judges whose scores are then averaged to determine final awards.
Volunteering to be a 4-H project judge is a win-win for volunteers and youth participants. Typically, volunteers feel inspired, encouraged and hopeful for the future after seeing what our 4-Hers have learned, accomplished, and shared. In turn, the youth benefit from your time, consideration and feedback based on a lifetime of experience. In most cases, the time commitment is a two-to-three-hour block, and an orientation is provided prior to the judging.
How to Get Involved
Interested in getting involved? There are several opportunities during the next few months. The Central Florida Fair 4-H exhibits will be judged at the fairgrounds on February 27th and February 28th. Times are flexible from 9:00-4:00. On April 10th, we will host the 4-H County Showcase at the Extension Education Center from 3:30-6:30 p.m. For this event, we will need volunteers to judge speeches, demonstrations, and talent acts. On May 11th, we will be hosting the 4-H District VIII contests for county winners from Orange, Lake, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia counties.
The Orange County 4-H Program is always seeking adults who are willing to give their time to guide the next generation. For more information about any of the above, or other volunteering opportunities, please email orange4H@ifas.ufl.edu or call 407-254-9200. For information about the 4-H program in Orange County, please visit 4-H Youth Development – Orange County – University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences – UF/IFAS (ufl.edu).
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